Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books for sending me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I completely fell in love with Fable and it's amazing characters and storyline, so of course I was thrilled to get an ARC of Namesake. Fable had ended on an intense cliffhanger and I was dying to know what happened next. Adrienne Young has created such a wonderful fantasy world and I'm thrilled to dive back into it.

West's Dark Past
One of the big themes of this book is how little Fable really knows West and is she willing to accept him once she learns more? I loved seeing their relationship develop because they were only fully together briefly in Fable, whereas Namesake gives us the chance to really see them as a couple...and man, does West need to work on being part of a couple! To be fair, this is a guy that has been the problem-solver, leader, and protector of his friends and family for so long that I really do understand how hard it is for him to share the burden. However, he needs to figure out how to do this if him and Fable have a chance together. We are also given the chance to see just how brutal West can be when the moment needs it - we got a taste of it in Fable with Craven's death, but Fable is forced to come to terms with this side of him and decide if she can truly love him.

Excellent New Characters
We spend a lot more time with Zola in this book (as he has just kidnapped Fable), but he's not the most interesting villain. Instead, we are introduced to Holland, the mysterious woman who controls the gem trade in the Unnamed Sea, and wow, is she something else. She's cruel, manipulative, smart, and has a lot of plans for Fable's future. Honestly, I loved her as a villain. She's so smart and is able to maneuver people exactly where she wants them. Cruel? Yes. Incredibly interesting? Absolutely. We also learn more about Isolde and Saint - while they aren't "new" characters, we didn't really see them in Fable, so it felt like we were really coming to understand them both in Namesake.

Love Character Relationships
There are so many interwoven histories and relationships between characters in this duology and I love that we are given the chance to unravel some of them. Besides the newer ones (like West and Fable), getting to know more about Fable's past relationship with Clove, how Paj and Auster came to be together, and learning more about Isolde and Saint were wonderful! There are so many rich characters in this series, it's hard to know that we'll never really know the history of all of them. BUT Young has briefly mentioned that she's been getting a ton of requests for Saint's story, so maybe we'll see more of him and Isolde in the future (keeping my fingers crossed for this).

Overall, this book was everything I was hoping for in the sequel to Fable. New characters introduced, relationships are tested, and character storylines are well resolved. I'd highly recommend this book (and series) to anyone who loves young adult fantasy, who enjoyed Fable and wants to know what happens next, or those who are looking to try YA fantasy for the first time.

Thanks to a fellow booknerd who told me this book was available as a direct-read on NetGalley I got my hands on it straightaway.

I had just bought Fable so obviously had to read that one first. And where I wrote in my review on the first book that it started off a bit slow and then rushed towards the end and left me wanting more, Namesake dives right in and picks up where things were left in Fable.

The pace is quick, the excitement is real and I absolutely love Fable and the world she lives in.
A lot of characters from the first book reappear in the second one.

However much I love the world Adrienne Young has built, and how much I like Fable... to me it wasn't clear what the plot was and where the story was going. It sometimes felt a bit like there were way more ideas/stories to be told but were either edited out or just not written.

This is a book that makes you think about what you would do for family, bloodbound or chosen. Which I really liked.
There is romance, but I just didn't get West. I couldn't connect to him at all, couldn't pin point what he was all about.

All in all I really liked this duology but in a way I hope there will be some side stories about some of the other characters to maybe get a little bit more of a complete story feel.

Adrienne young does it again. The second of the Fable duology is riveting. Adriennes story telling ability is out of this world. You truly feel like you’re in the world she’s created. Fable is one of the most amazing characters I’ve read. She’s truly experienced hard knocks and refuses to fall. You won’t be able to put this book down! This book takes place directly after the first book titled Fable. It is a quick read and honestly I couldn’t put it down. I started it and felt the fast pace of the open sea immediately. Adrienne absolutely didn’t let us down with this duology.

With the Marigold ship free of her father, Fable and its crew were set to start over. That freedom is short-lived when she becomes a pawn in a notorious thug’s scheme.
*****^
eARC provides by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Fable and the crew of the Marigold are back and setting out on another high seas adventure full of wild twists and turns and dark secrets, and discover that family is sometimes not what it seems.

This book picks up right where it’s predecessor left off, with the shocking revelation that Clove, Fable’s father’s crew member is not only alive, but working for an enemy crew. This betrayal right from go starts the book by setting those emotional hooks in deep.

*And in the time it took to draw a single breath, it was all torn away.*

The further into the story Fable gets, the more loyalties are tested and stressed. While everyone’s intentions seemed clear from the start, their motivations are just a bit murky. With so many characters playing so many roles, it’s never truly clear who is the bad guy.

*Helmsman. Dredger. Trader. Orphan. Father. Daughter.*

The character development that started in the first book really shined throughout Namesake. Our main cast from the first book, including Fable and West, is back, but many take a step to the side for some new stars. We meet Holland, who has a questionable relationship to Fable, and she quickly steals the stage- not always in a good way. Saint is back, and he is much more of an open book. Some side characters from the first book also make appearances and are truly memorable too.

*It doesn’t matter what happens.” His hands tightened on me. “You and me.”*

The romance in this book is much more understated but, when it has its moments, it pays off. Fable rapidly learns that West isn’t 100% what he seems, and she has to grapple with that and figure out how to love him in spite of that. It is so relatable and at some point everyone has to figure out how to love, not just in fantasy books.

This book also deals with love on a family level. Fable and Saint have really moved forward in their relationship, and even though Fable hasn’t ever truly been embraced as Saint’s daughter, there is a lot of discussion on how to love and be loved, and what you will do for your parents. It’s such a huge plot point and it was so refreshing to read a story motivated by familial love.

*I leaned back into the bench, looking at the maps. “Seven days, twelve reefs, one gem.”*

The plot is a bit convoluted in this book. What really is Fable’s goal? I loved so much that it wasn’t ever truly clear, because it allowed readers more of a glimpse into Fable’s head. While she was looking for gems, and really showcasing her gem sage talents, gems weren’t the true motivator in this story. Her family, both biological and found, were her motivator. While this lead the story down many different paths, and often jumped around, it paralleled how messy most relationships and life am truly are.

While I did have some minor issues in this book- mostly with the logistics of dredging gems and sailing and how quickly people recovered from injury- the story line and character development significantly outweighed any qualms I had. I would highly recommend both Fable and Namesake to any lovers of YA romance, fantasy, and adventure.

*quotes taken from eARC and are subject to change prior to publication.

finished Namesake (sequel to the amazing Fable) and I have so many emotions. I set down my phone after finishing and I felt full and empty simultaneously. Adrienne Young has such a way with building a concise world that you fall so deeply into it. The characters and the setting are so immersive that you forget that they only exist in the mind. The plot moves quickly, creating the necessary excitement to be unable to put it down

“We were salt and sand and sea and storm. We were made in the Narrows.”

Picking up where Fable left off, Namesake tells Fable’s story after being captured by Zola. Forced to work with Zola and her father’s former helmsman, Clove, Fable is forced to dredge for gems until she finds a way to get back to the Marigold. As the story progresses, however, we learn that Fable’s journey back to the narrows is not as easy as it seems. Once in Bastian, Fable uncovers secrets about her mother; secrets that put everyone Fable cares about at risk. Unlike the first book in this duology, Namesake hooked me from the very beginning, but I know this is solely because of the cliffhanger ending that Fable had.

As the truth of Fable’s captivity unfolds, readers will be on the edge of their seat as they await to know how the story will end. Young does an amazing job of providing an emotionally intense, suspenseful story that will make it hard for readers to put down the book. This story revolves around our strong female character, Fable, as she tries to find her way back to the crew that has become her family. Unlike Fable, this story brings you deeper into Fable’s relationship with her father as she is tasked with making difficult decisions. Readers will also enjoy learning more about Fable’s mother and how her mother’s decisions affect Fable’s quest.

Young uses a compelling writing style to capture her audience's attention as she tells an action-packed, emotionally intense story of Fable. The story takes place in a world centered around the Narrows and the Unnamed sea. Of course, while Bastian is a major part of the setting, it is the sea and the Marigold that remain of key importance throughout the story. The water holds many tales for Fable, and it is a big aspect of her life. All in all, I think Young did an amazing job of setting up Fable’s quest to return to the Marigold and her determination to protect those she loves. Young also does an excellent job of giving us a happy ending for Fable that we don’t feel was rushed or unnatural.

My rating: ★★★

Namesake begins immediately after the events from the end of Fable. Adrienne Young is very good at pace and this one proved that. However, it was missing something that Fable had. I can't quite put my finger on it but I just wasn't as invested in this story. There were lot's of twists that I didn't see coming but it wasn't enough.

This story follows the theme of family. But, instead of seeing more of Fable's found family, we spend a lot of time looking at her relationships with her biological family.

My favourite part about this story was that the world is expanded and we meet more characters. But, my least favourite was the main love story. The reader is expected to believe this overwhelming love between Fable and West who honestly barely interact. Also, I can't express enough how much I loathe male characters who feel like they need to save the girl. But really they are just making situations worse and some pretty stupid decisions- this is exactly what West does constantly through this book. I just don't believe their feelings for each other. I think it would have been better if this book explored their developing feelings for each other that they have realised when Fable was kidnapped at the end of the first book.

The plot is a bit odd. They spend a good chunk of the book completing useless tasks that the characters actually comment on them being useless and a waste of time. It was confusing.

However, Adrienne is a very good writer and can tell a story. This book isn't bad, it just didn't have what the first one did.

Namesake by Adrienne Young is the followup, and second in the trilogy, to Fable in the same-named series. This book is one word: amazing!

I absolutely loved every moment of Fable, and this second book did not disappoint. It lived up to everything its predecessor created.

This book starts immediately where the previous finishing upon that tall and windy place called a cliffhanger. Here, Fable wakes up on Zola’s ship after being kidnapped. Without spoiling the plot for the reader, we see all of the questions and surprises from the previous book answered within this story, and the author adds in plenty of new twists and turns to keep the reader entertained, enthralled, and begging for more.

I love Fable so much. She is smart, independent (yet her need for acceptance, family, love, and a home to be a part of is still present, fiery, and brave. She is imperfect, but yet strives to make things right. I enjoyed following along as she, West, the crew of the Marigold, Koy, Clove, and Saint create a wonderfully stunning story.

There were times I cheered, times my heart raced in fear and stress, and times I smiled to see heartwarming moments spring out when I least expected them. I loved the surprises, and I love how the author was able to create a visually stunning atmosphere to bring us all to the equally impressive and perfect ending.

I do not know how the third book could ever be better then this one, but somehow I know it will be, and I cannot wait to find out!

An awesome fantasy, action packed, historical fiction all-in-one superstar of a novel.

5/5 stars enthusiastically

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for this awesome ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR, Bookbub, and Instagram accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 3/16/21.

I instantly fell in love with Fabel in the first book and couldn't wait to read about the conclusion of her journey. Fabel was such a gripping tale, that I devoured it in one sitting and the same was true for Namesake. I have to say that Fabel is one of my most favorite characters and I loved seeing her develop. I wasn't sure what to expect in this second installment, but Young's storytelling was impeccable. She made the sea feel like home. I honestly wanted to start my own crew after I finished the book. This story tugs on the heartstrings and has a beautiful message of love. This is a must read.

There are some things that can't be carved from a person, no matter how far from home they've sailed.</b>

Namesake picked up right where Fable left off. Nail biting and fast page turning just as in the first. You splash right into the depths of the Narrows but with even more at stake. Just with Fable, Young transported me to the wooden decks with the salty sea air and I was immediately immersed with the story.

I didn't love this book as much as I did the first. Maybe because we left the water and spent more time at port; but I did enjoy learning more of history and the ghosts that haunt not only our main character but all of the crew. Pasts collide and the life of the Marigold is awaiting the gallows.

That said, and without spoiling anything, I still really enjoyed the sequel in this duology and I highly recommend it for those that love sea-faring books and a band of mischiefs.

** I received an eARC from NetGalley / Wednesday Books in exchange of an honest review. **

Fable is one of my favorite books of 2020 and Namesake is an adequate sequel. It picks up right where book one left off, full of high-sea action, adventure and antics. It steers into shocking and unexpected plot twists; definitely a page turner. I was not a fan of Young's previous works but her writing style and story telling has significantly evolved. I'm very impressed with the strong willed, stubborn and multi faceted characters. This is an engaging, uniquely vivid fantasy that I highly recommend. Thank you to #NetGalley for granting me an eARC. This is an honest review, and all opinions are my own.

This duology is like a breath of fresh air, riding on the waves of the sea. 𝐹𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 stole my heart and tucked it away beneath the deep water, nestled safe beside the gems and hidden treasures. And 𝑁𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑠𝑎𝑘𝑒 broke open my heart with a dredging chisel, unearthing even more treasure and possibilities and danger.

These books are very atmospheric to me. Life under the sea is like an entirely different world than above. To Fable, our main character, it’s her home, it’s where she feels more alive and connected to her mother. And it’s brilliant and colorful with all the gems and sea creatures. The times when Fable dives and dredges are my absolute favorite parts of these books. It feels magical and peaceful.

But it’s not always peaceful. In 𝑁𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑠𝑎𝑘𝑒, we see several times how dangerous diving can be. People trying to hurt you, a storm that threatens to keep you under.

After the ending of 𝐹𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒, I was dying to read 𝑁𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑠𝑎𝑘𝑒. The ending was brutal! For the most part, I liked how things unfolded in 𝑁𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑠𝑎𝑘𝑒. And I do love how strong Fable becomes, but it almost seemed to change her a little too much. She seizes control a little too quickly and and forcefully. But I guess this happens to help show the reader how cutthroat and harsh sea life is. Along with that, it would have been nice to have more reconciliation with Fable and some other characters, because she and West had wronged them, and I just wanted to see that resolve more clearly.

My next favorite part of the novel was the familial relationships between Fable and her parents. She learned more about them and grew closer to them in different, unexpected ways. The father-daughter relationship between Fable and Saint was beautifully explored. It’s a rocky, tremulous relationship, but we see how important family ties are through these two, and that even during rough times, you can find rare gems, just waiting to be found and treasured.

West and Fable’s romance was part of the driving force that dictated both of their choices. Their love is strong, and while I didn’t always agree with what they did, I understood why they did it.

I also loved the ending. The way Fable handled what she’d been looking for was perfect. And I hope in her future, she’s able to return to it. I loved that this duology ended pretty neatly, but with a promise of more adventure in these characters lives. Adding more to this story would be welcome, but not really necessary, since I feel satisfied with how things ended

I loved these books, and I can safely say that it is my favorite duology I’ve read!

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for an e-arc!

I loved the first one, but this one really disappointed me. I think it would have been better as a stand alone unfortunately.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Namesake is the second book in the Fable duology, and it leaves us right where the predecessor left off. There are so many surprise layers to the story! Just when you think you know what’s going on, there’s new information to throw you a curve ball. The plot is constantly gripping and fast moving with all the twists and turns it takes. The characters, both new and old, are all interesting and distinct. There were some that I would have loved to see more of, and found the snippets of their backstories to be very alluring.
I feel that Fable is a realistic protagonist with her strong and vulnerable emotions of a young girl who lost her mother, and was abandoned by her father. In this book, there is even more vulnerability and family issues that Fable must cope with. We see the growth of her character as she seeks closure from her past, and tries to focus on the future she wants. Her single minded goal of survival, and finding her father in the first book has broadened with all the surprises that occur in Namesake, and it was lovely to read.
I truly loved the world that Adrienne Young created with this series! Namesake kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time, and the ending was very surprising and satisfying. I wouldn’t have guessed it at all when I first opened the book!

I really enjoyed the first book in this duology, Fable, so when I saw that NetGalley had a copy of the sequel for immediate review, I dropped everything to read it. Fable had everything I wanted in a YA fantasy; adventure, an unapologetic heroine, and a swoon worthy love interest. It was one of my favourite reads of 2020 and I have to say, Namesake did not disappoint.

Every page of the novel immersed you into a perfectly crafted world of intrigue, power playing and betrayal. I felt like I was right there sailing the seas along with Fable.

The second book picks up exactly where the first book left off. Without giving the plot of the first book away, Namesake does a great job of further exploring the prominent themes of the first novel, family, love and betrayal. My only comment would be that I thought the "villains" could maybe be slightly more villainous? I didn't really understand through Fable's interactions with Saint or retellings or his antics from other characters, how Holland was the more horrid choice to align with. Obviously Holland was a manipulative, self-serving character, but If Fable wasn't Saint's daughter would Fable still think the same of Holland?

Overall, this was the perfect ending to a fun and enjoyable series.

Wow, this was 'keep you up way past your bedtime' good. Seriously. I stayed up until 2am to finish Namesake because I could not put it down. Like Fable, I was captivated from the very opening line. I loved getting to explore for of the world as well as the depth of Fable's relationships. She is a fantastic heroine full of grit and hope. Fable & Namesake have rocketed their way to my favorite books and will forever hold a special place in my heart. Overall, Namesake was a thrilling and satisfying conclusion to an incredible story.

Adrienne Young just keeps getting better and better. I cannot wait to see what she writes next!

If you loved Fable, you will abolsutly fall in love with Namesake. PREORDER IT NOW!

Full review will be live on www.readandwander.com within 30 days of publication.

I feel like I'm missing something with how much everyone else seems to love these books and how much I... don't. Fable was meh, but engaging and interesting. But this sequel just felt like a lot of things happening without any reason or explanation. All the things I wanted to see in the second book based on the events of the first book just didn't happen, and that was frustrating. There wasn't a lot going on in this book, and Fable and West's relationship felt very flat in this book. They were just going around in circles and West was kind of very dumb in this book with all the decisions he made.

The connection to Holland was interesting, but could have been handled a lot better. And then the whole thing with Saint was... ugh. I just don't like the awful parental figure coming in at the end and being all, I loved you all along! I wanted to know more about the Marigold crew in both the first book and then in this one, and we just don't get a lot of that. I wanted to actually feel like Fable was a part of the crew, but she just felt like an outsider, like we didn't get enough time for any relationships to form.

I just didn't feel anything for Fable or the other characters or her bonds with any of them. I felt like her relationship with West deepened too quickly, and it just felt very strange in this second book. I wasn't sure what the point of the whole "he has a dark side you don't know about" thing was about since it didn't affect the way Fable felt about him in the slightest.

There was just something essential missing from this book and it left me wanting. The first book was less than I was expecting, but still a decent read, but this sequel just completely missed the mark and didn't deliver anything I needed from it. It felt highly unnecessary and I reaffirm my opinion from my review for the first book that it should have just been a standalone.

What a beautiful book.
It takes place immediately after Fable ends. This book was well thought out, and had twist and turns around every corner. The relationship between West and Fable continues, with some ups and downs. Let me say, West is a GOOD man. He is always thinking about others, and the way he cares for Fable, what he does, wow.
Fable continues to grow, making some mistakes along the way as she pieces together her mother's death and her father's alleged abandonment.
The crew is fun and loveable and mostly REAL. I loved the emotion, the turmoil was palatable.
I'm so happy that they brought back an unexpected character too!
You learn more about Isolde in this book and the mysteries she carried even into death.
I'm sad this is over and I'm so thankful for the opportunity to read Namesake ahead of time. Thank you NetGalley for the eArc!

Thank you so much NetGalley and MacMillan Publishing for providing me with the E-arc for Namesake!
I was shocked to bits to get access to this sequel so early, having only finished & fallen in love with Fable and West just last month!
There is definitely no second book feeling about this sequel to Fable! From the start it kicks off where Fable ended. Fable has been kidnapped & dropped into the middle of more politics, shenanigans and daring, and dastardly adventures!
Zola continues on with his own selfish agenda forcing Fable into dredging for him and as a consequence pulling the Marigold, West and her crew into the adventure!
I’m not going to ruin this for you, but I can promise if you loved Fable then you’ll love Namesake even more!

The Fable duology is hands down Adrienne Young's best books to date. Not only is the writing beautiful, but Fable and the Marigold crew are some of the most genuine, likable characters that I've had the pleasure of reading about. I didn't want it to end.